Healthcare
Pregnancy oversharing
Justine Davies Gone are the days when pregnancy was viewed as something to be disguised, there is now no aspect of pregnancy that is not fully examined.
Natural births better for babies
Danielle Teutsch and Kate Benson Babies born by caesarean section are more vulnerable to asthma, allergies and infection as they miss out on receiving their mothers' good bacteria during birth, a scientist says.
Homebirth mothers being refused prescriptions
Kate Benson Doctors, fearing they will be sued, are refusing to prescribe drugs or order tests for women who want to give birth at home, and this is forcing mothers to give birth in hospitals or putting lives at...
Birth: a woman's right to decide?
Justine Caines The maternity reforms had the ability to place women as the focus of care, rather than the current practice of meeting the needs of organisations and practitioners first.
Midwife home birth as safe as hospital, says study
Louise Hall Home birth assisted by a trained midwife is just as safe for low-risk mothers and their babies as a delivery led by a midwife in hospital, a study of more than half a million women has found.
Using acupuncture to prepare for birth
Rebecca Mar Young Acupuncturist Rebecca Mar Young, who focuses on pregnancy, explains how acupuncture can help you prepare for birth.
Easing labour pain naturally
Julia Medew Terrified by memories of her sister giving birth, Chantal Stravens learned hypnosis so she could stay calm during her own labour.
Rise in induced births worries doctors
Kate Benson One in three pregnant women in NSW has her labour induced - a rise of at least 15 per cent in the past 10 years - with almost half of inductions done without a medical reason.
Care for children begins before birth
Julie Robotham Regular assessments to ensure the health of children would begin before birth and continue until age eight, under a proposal to create the first national program for early childhood health.
Be my baby: On the road to fatherhood
Neil Humphreys With a theatrical sigh, I took the still warm plastic contraption, held it at arm's length in such a way that it suggested it was radioactive and rested it on top of the toilet.
Your birth choices
The following information is designed to assist you with making choices about the type of care you would like throughout your pregnancy, and how you would like to give birth to your baby.
Fears for mothers as hospitals up the ante for birth classes
Natasha Wallace The cost of antenatal classes should be means-tested and made uniform across all hospitals, according to the Australian College of Midwives.
In nature's hands
Nicole Salinas I was 28 and expecting my second child. All was well with the pregnancy and we were very excited to be adding to our family.
Home birth program that delivers
Kate Benson It took Bailey Mannion only 75 minutes to slip calmly into the world, amid the comforts of his own loungeroom, unaware he was quietly making history.
Designing principles at birth of a new era
Advances in gene technology are creating a host of ethical dilemmas, writes Rachel Browne. Genetic screening of human embryos may eventually eradicate inherited diseases ranging from breast cancer to...
Blood worth banking on, say parents
Jill Stark More people want to be able to store their baby's umbilical cord blood, believing it could one day be a lifesaver. .
Beating the odds - our premature arrival
Nicole Salinas My husband Nathan and I started trying for our first baby in 2001. After 6 months and a lot of questions from me, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Born in an ambulance
Nicole Salinas When I found out I was pregnant for the 3rd time I was over the moon. The emotions I felt with my other pregnancies and births came rushing back! I was sure I was going to go early and have a fast...
Birth rights
John van Tiggelen In many countries, home births are commonplace - and generally regarded as safe. So why in Australia, where such births are rare, is the Government discouraging the practice? John van Tiggelen...
Angry mums against midwife legislation
Kate Dennehy A group of angry mothers and mothers-to-be have gathered in Brisbane to discuss tactics to overturn a Federal Government proposal they say will ban home births with a midwife.
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